The letters below were originally posted to the Overton County
mailing list by Gary Norris
for Mrs. Dorris Parrett Wilford,
greatgranddaughter to the writer of the letters. She has graciously
allowed us to post those letters here. Gary has done a wonderful
job on the introductions and historical perspectives into the
time period of which each letter was written. Special thanks go
out to both of them for sharing with the rest of us. Special thanks
to Dale Welch of Monterey for the photographs.
Dear List,
We have been given the golden opportunity to share some Civil
War letters
from Sergeant James Forrester Parrott of the 28th Consolidated
Infantry to
his wife, Mahala Bowman. Mr. Parrott was wounded in the lower
leg at
Franklin, Tennessee. This injury required the amputation of his
lower leg.
After the war, Mr. Parrott was murdered on his own property in
1868. He was
buried at the Officer Cemetery in Overton County.
As a child James Parrott was crossing the Appalachian and Cumberland
Mountains when he became sick with the measles. The father was
already dead
and the mother feared James would spread measles to the rest of
his
siblings. Therefore, the mother chose to leave James with a Miller
with the
promise of sending for the boy when the family was finally settled.
The
mother mother died the the little boy was left to be raised by
Mr. Miller.
Here is a letter sent from Sergeant James Parrott to his wife,
Mahala Ann
Bowman. The spelling was left in its original form to add authenticity
to
the document. Brackets have been added to help the reader get
the meaning of
the passage.
These letters were graciously shared with us through the generosity of:
Mrs. Dorris Parrett Wiliford
512 Cumberland Street
Medina, TN 38355
Doris337@cs.com
Please address all remarks and correspondence to her.
Letter #1
Aprile the 2, 1863
State of Georgia. Floid County (Floyd) Sitty Rome (City of Rome)
Dear Wife I now seat my selfe to rite you another letter to
let you know
that I am well but not stout. I am weak yet but I can eat every
hour in the
day. If nothing happens to me I will be able to go to my command
in another
weak. I have had a hard time of sickness but thank God I am well
now and
when this letter comes to you I hope it will find you all well
and doing
well. I wnat to see you worse than any boddy on eart (earth).
Now boddy
(nobody) is now company for me. You and your little boys is on
my mind
continley. I pray to God that the time will soon come when I will
get home
to yo in peace. Hala ann I love you better than any boddy in this
world. I
want to see you and kiss your sweat (sweet) lips in token of my
kind of love
to you. I never node (knew) waht trubble was until I left home.
We lived
together 8 years lacking one day and a happy lief we lived. It
melts my
heart to think that such lover as us has to be parted in such
a manner as we
are. a many a tear I have shed since I left home. I ant you to
pray for my
return home soon and if we never meet again on earth I hope we
will meet in
heaven where parting will be no more, no wears (wars) nor sickness
nor
trubbles never come. Pray for my futer (future) welfeare (welfare).
The
prayers of the richus (rightous) _______ much.
Do the best you can till I get home. I dont now when I can
get to come home
they wont furlow no boddy but I am to come to see you if nothing
happens
sometime between this and fall, furlouw or not for it don't seme
to me that
I can stand it much longer witout seeing you and the boys. I thik
this year
is the last year of the wear (war). I think that we will have
peace. People
is geting tired of this wear on both sides as the coten famen
(cotton
famine) is grate in ingland (England) and france. so that France
and
England will recognise the south independence. I want you to watch
the
ofice (office) at Goodbears (Goodbars). I direct my letters to
the
Goodbears (Goodbars) but the male (mail) stops and Gillans (Gillilands)
but
Goodbears (Goodbars) gose there after his nusepapers and he will
bring all
letters to his house. I have rote you three letters since I have
been in
gorgia and have not no ancer as yet. I received our letter that
was dated
the 24 of feb. it come to the rigiment and I rote to Jerry if
any letter
had come from you to send them to me and he sent that letter to
me. I was
glad to here from you to hear that you was all well. It was all
the nuse
that I have herd from you since I left home of quansience (consequence).
I
want you to rite to me every chance you have. I dont know where
to tell you
to send your letters till I go to the camps you cant answer this
letter.
Before I leave here I watch the ofise for answer from the last
letter that I
rote you. I rote for you to rite in hast (haste) but use every
chance you
have to send them by hand.
James Parrott to Hala Ann Parrott
Dear List,
Below you will find the conclusion of James Parrott's letter
to his wife,
Mahala Ann Bowman. This is the ending of last night's Letter #1.
At the time of this letter, the Confederate Army of Tennessee
is sitting on
a defensive posture on the Duck River in Middle Tennessee. Apparently,
James had either been wounded or was recovering from illness.
Rome, Geogia
was a rear hospital area or the Confederate Army of Tennessee.
At this time Mahala Bowman Parrott was still protected by General
Bragg's
Army of Tennessee. By the first of July the Confeferates were
in retreat
and all of Middle Tennessee was surrendered to the Union forces.
After that
point, it would be a deadly process for James to attempt to visit
his wife
in the Upper Cumberland area.
Aprile the 2, 1863
State of Gorgia (Georgia). Floid (Floyd) County Sitty Rome (City of Rome)
When you rite rite everything that you think will comfort me.
Rite all
about afairs sow I may know how you are geting along. If you are
not out of
money be saving of it. I want to send you some money the first
chance if it
would come to you safe. I would send you some money in this letter
but I am
____ to resk it. I have a pretty (gift) for you and Lety, one
a peace. I
will send them to you the first chance. Mahala Ann I have you
a find him
(fine hymn) book. I will send it to you the first chance. The
book cost
two dollars. The other pretties are two silver timbles (thimbles)
wareted
(warrented) to be silver. The two cost me three dollars. Things
is plenty
here but at a high price. Shoes for wimmin (women), fine shoes,
they ask
$20.00 apeair (a pair). Every thing is offel (awfuel) might hiher
(higher)
now. I will give you the prices of produse: sweat potatoes are
five dollars
a bushel, irish potatoes are fifteen dollars a bushel, pork is
fifty sents a
pound, just crape off bacon is one dollar and a quarter pur pound,
lard the
same, butter is a dollar and ahalf per pound, milk is forty cents
a quart,
beef is thirty cents a pound. I went to a house to buy a canteen
full of
milk and the lady told me that some families were starving everything
was
sow high that they could not buy it. Many a family is starving
in the state
of gorgia. Starvation is glaring us in the face. Everything is
sow high I
want you to rase (raise) everything you can. A big patsh (patch)
of
potatoes , of both kines (kinds) and be surten to save every pig
you can for
it will be a forchin (fortune) at fifty cents per pound. I want
you to have
your pigs spade in this month. The new moon. I want you to have
the kinder
sow spade and the Adkins sow spade and save the others and do
all ou can to
save all young pigs. If your cows is not going to give no milk
you buy a
cow to give you milk. I will send you the money the first chance
to pay
with. Trade to the best advantage dont you sell a pound of meat,
dont
paster (pasture) nothing but the hogs and mare and milk cows.
Turn the
stears and the calves and that heifer outside. Put one of them
bells on
Brandy and drive them to the top of the mounting (mountain). Brandy
nose
(knows) the range out there. You must be saving of your clover
or it is all
your chance this summer for pasture. But if nothing happens I
aim to sow
the big field in small grain to put all the pigs in it that you
can save. I
will leave it all with to do the best you can till I come. I want
you to
kiss my boys for me till I come home. Tell John and Thomas that
there
(their) pap wants to hug and kiss them both bad. I must come to
a close. I
want to hug and kiss your sweat (sweet) lips and I feal (feel)
confident
that I will again. I remain your husban until death. I love you.
James Parrott to Hala Ann Parrott
Tonight the second letter from Sergeant James Parrott to his
wife Mahala Ann
Bowman Parrott appears.
James wrote this letter from inside Tennessee. Whatever ailment
or wound he
had seemed to have healed and he had been sent back to the front
lines near
the Duck River in Middle Tennessee. His 28th Infantry Regiment
was getting
ready for the coming Union invasion which they knew would appear
as soon as
the ground dried. The Confederate forces were trying to hold the
rich farm
lands of Middle Tennessee and the Union forces prepared to seize
Chattanooga
and drive the Rebels out of Tennessee for good. All furloughs
were
cancelled in view of the pending invasion. James missed his wife
so much
and there appeared little hope of their reunion any time soon.
However,
James was not about to desert. He would stay by his post and witness
the
heaviest fighting of the war at Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, and
Missionary
Ridge.
Letter #2
12th of April 1863
State of Tennessee
Dear wife:
I seat myself to rite you another letter to let you now that
I am well as I
ever was but I am not as stout. I got waid (weighed) yesterday
and I wade
one hunderd and fifty pounds. I got to my regiment this eavening
and I
found the boys generally well and I hope that this letter will
find you and
the children and Lety all well and doing well. The most pleasure
that I
have saw was riding on the car (train). I want to see you worse
than any
boddy in the world. I though if I could of had you to fill the
seat with me
I would of give any mancion (mansion) but instid of you it was
a south
caroliner soldier. I have not nothing important to rite to you
I have rote
you four letters and have got two letters from you but I did not
look for
any ancer from you, only the third one, I rote to you to ancer
the third one
while I was in the sitty (city) of Rome. I stade four weaks their
after I
rote that letter. I watch the offis (office) close. I rote you
a letter
and directed it to Gillans (Gillilands) which is the Oakhill P.O.
Watch the
ofise and maybe you will get them. I want you to rite to me every
chance
you have if it is every weak and when you dont send them buy and
sent them
to Tulahoma (Tullahoma) to the 28th Rige (Regiment) company ___
Tenn
volunteers. The last letter I wrote Mr. Goodbear (Goodbar) to
take the
letters to his house you could get them without going to Gillilan
(Gilliland's) often. I have got three suits of close (clothes).
I did not
now that you would have the chance to send me any close. I drawed
one pear
of pants and one pear of drawers and a shirt. I have enuf (enough)
of close
(clothes) I think to do me plentiful this year. My shoes is nearly
new yet.
Pepple (people) here is in fine spirits they is no talk of fiting
(fighting)
soon here. All is quiet now as far as I now (know). I want to
see to see
you all sow bad that I can hardley keep from runing away they
will not
furlow any boddy. I dont want to run away it will be a disgrace
beside a
punishment of some kind but I intend to come home sometime between
this and
fall, furlow or not if I can get there. I dream of eating dinner
with you
and you had a good dinner. IT was ham and cabage and chicken and
severell
other things. If that could be sow it would be a great pleasuer
to me. I
long to see the time come when I can et the pleasure of coming
home to stay
If I could get one kiss from you it would be more pleasure to
me than every
thing here You must excuse my bad riting and all mistakes The
boys is
talking to me sow that I can hardly rite. All glad to see me.
I have good
friends every where I go, sow I must remain your true husband
until death.
Rite as soon as you get this and send it buy Jackson.
James Parrott to Mahala Ann Bowman Parrott
Letter #3 found James Parrot sick again. He had left the Confederate
main
lines near Tullahoma and Shelbyville, Tennessee to a hospital
at Tunnel
Hill, Georgia. Sergeant was later transferred to another hospital
at
Catoosa Springs, Georgia. His was most likely suffering from dysentery
or
chronic diarrhea. This was the most common sickness during the
entire war.
Also, it was the most common cause of death.
The Confederates still hold a line along the Duck River in
Middle Tennessee.
They are supplied by a railroad from Chattanooga. The Union forces
are
supplied from Nashville and the Cumberland River. Should the Confederates
lose Middle Tennessee they will have given up the best horse farms
in the
South. The Union forces aim to take Chattanooga and then seize
Atlanta.
This move would virtually cut the Confederacy in half and paralyze
the
transportation so vital to the Southern armies.
Letter #3 was not dated, but most likely came from the last
two weeks in May
1863.
State of Georgia - Dear wife:
I now seat myself to rite you agin to let you now that I am
well and harty
but my wind is not good. I have a shortiness of breath. I way
one hundred
and 55 with my close (clothes) all on and a pear of socks in my
pocket. I
am as fat as you ever saw me. I have not got fat on a satisfide
mind nor
something good to eat. It is a good stomach. I hope when this
letter
reaches you it will find you and my little boys all well. I received
your
letters that was dated Apr the 22 I was glad to here from you
but sorrow to
here that my little boys were sick and that you was in so much
truble and
that you had worked sow hard. I dont want you to work so hard
as to hert
(hurt) yourself you must take good care of your self if you was
to get sick
and I was to here of it it would trubble me almost to death. I
will settle
with Billey when I come home. The low places in my fase (face)
is filled
out. If you could see me you would say that I was a round fase
man. If I
can I will get my likiness at Chattanooga as I go to my regiment
and send it
to you. I will tell you my dream the 14 night of May. I dream
that little
John was dead it seam sow plane that it truble me sow that I could
not keep
still and on the 15 day of May I received your letters that bear
date Apr 22
I shuddered to read them but glad tidings that he was alive and
on the mend.
But I am uneasy yet about you all. You must rite to me as soon
as you get
this (turn the page over) I have rote to you time and agin and
I have never
got but 4 letters from you I have now thought that you have received
all of
my letters I rote you 4 in Rome and I got no ancer. I have rote
you a
letter sence I have come to Tunnilhill the doctor has sent me
about 8 miles
off to a plase name the Catoosa Springs Horsepittle (Hospital).
I am in
ward number 3 with about 100 hundred others. This is as pretty
a place as
you ever saw. They is 50 springs here all of differant kines (kinds)
of
waughter (water). They are all close together they are not more
than
100-150 yards apart. I do not expect to stay here more than 2
weaks more
till I will go to my regiment. I am sepecting a letter from you
every male.
If you dont have the chance to send letters buy hand to me send
them buy
male (mail). Make them at Gillans (Gillilands) and you can get
Mr. Good
Bear (Goodbar) to take them. I expect he goes there once a week
to get
letters and papers I want to here from you once a month anyhow
direct the
anser to this to Shelveyville (Shelbyville) and be sure to put
on the back
of your letter to James Parrott Rites (Wright's) Brigade, 28 Regiment
so
that it will be sure to come if the male is all rite. If we leave
Shelveyville the letter will fallow me. Rite to me if you have
got my close
(clothes) that I sent home and rite what all you got with them.
James Parrott to Mahala Ann Bowman Parrott
The conclusion of the Letter #3 will be featured tonight.
Again, Letter #3 was not dated, but seems to have been written
around the
second half of May 1863.
State of Georgia - Dear wife:
I have nothing important to rite to you about the wear(war).
I learn about
ten minutes ago that the yankeys had Vicksburg surrounded. I don't
now what
will become of us. I expect that we will have to fight before
long. Bragg
is advancing, if they do not come out I believe that Bragg will
attack them
in there brestworks. If we do fite it will be offul (awful). Time
I must
come to a close. I must tell you about your kinfolks I have found
your
fathers one cousin he lives at Tunnilhill in Whitfeld County,
Georgia. I
stade with him some and he did not charge me anything. His name
is Henry
Bowman. He is doing well and the master worker. He is a black
smith I will
tell you ______ her dream I dreamp (dreamed) that I came home
and you and
Lety was spining. Lety laft (laughed) and shuck hands with me
and ask me in
then. I went to you, syou shuck hands with me. I thought that
I would hug
and kiss you and you would not let me. I thought you both was
so fat that
you did not look natterile (natural). I cant rite haff anuf (half
enough)
now do the beset you can till I see you if ever the fear of battle
has all
left me. Le us trust in God for his kind blesing. I will close
buy saying
I remain Your tru husban until death. Lety I received your kind
letter It
pleased me much. Lety I wnat to see you I was glad to here that
you was in
good health part of my dream is so, in the way you way (weigh)
10060 (160).
After resting I will rite on this side. I want to now (know)
if Calvin
Bowman is in the survis (service). Rite hwo George Spek (Speck)
and famley
is and give my best respek to all of my friends. Hala Ann I have
learn more
sence I let home than I would in ten years there. We live in the
worst
country to make a living than any place. The people is hid bound
Now (no)
navigation there. I think if I ever get home in peace that I will
sell my
land and go where I can make a living easier than I can there.
Would like
to now (know) how ou are doing for salt. You must rase all the
pigs you
can they will be needed and will bear a good prise (price). I
am glad that
you get milk. I want you to rase all the checkens you can I want
to sit by
you and eat fride (fried) chicken and you may rase ges (geese)
to, I have
found out that they are good to eat. I have helped to eat a many
a gander
sence I saw you. Wheat crops look well here. I want you to rite
how Nancy
Holloway and Joseph is getting along farming. I want you to engage
twenty
bushel of wheat when it gets ripe get it off J. M. Goodbear (Goodbar)
if he
has it to sell I want to sow all the field that Nancy is tending.
Look for
a letter once a month. I will try to rite once a month. I love
you and my
sweet children. That not (knot) of love that is tide (tied) in
my hart
(heart) will ever dy (die). Good by.
James Parrott to Mahala Ann Bowman Parrott.
Tonight's letter is the shortest of the collection. James discussed
the
high cost of living the Confederacy was experiencing since the
beginning of
the war two years previously. Sam had not been at home for some
length of
time because he did not realize how difficult it had become to
get salt or
leather. As the war progressed, the Confederate forces experienced
more and
more difficulty in obtaining leather and salt.
This letter did not have an address. It is assumed that James
is still at
the hospital in Georgia. The Union invasion of Middle Tennessee
was a mere
two weeks away.
June 9, 1863
Mrs. Mahala Ann Parrott
I have the opportunity of riting you a few more lines. I am
well today. I
hope that you are two. I render you $14 dollars in this letter.
You must
rite to me if you get it and rite soon. I would send you some
money before
now but I had no chance by telling it. I have spent rite smart.
I have
drawed 62 dollars in all. I spent it for something to eat and
it was high.
If you nead (need) more money than this rite to me and I will
send you some
more. I want you to lay in salt if you can and leather. Rite how
your are
doing for salt. I must close buy (by) saying I want to kiss you.
To M A Parrott
From James Parrott
Last night's Letter #4 had a mistake in it. I had written Sam
and the name
should have been James. I apologize for my mistake.
Letter #5 was written after James Parrott had returned to his
28th Infantry
Regiment near Shelbyville, Tennessee. General Bragg is trying
to instill
discipline into his troops before the coming Union invasion. You
will read
tonight of an execution for desertion. General Braxton Bragg required
all
of the 28th Regiment watch the execution in order to leave a strong
impression on the soldiers' minds. In less than two weeks the
impending
invasion would come. This time the Union troops had a surprise
for the 28th
Regiment. The repeating rifle would be used for the first time
in a battle.
The Southern troops would say the Yankees "had a gun they
could load on
Sunday and shoot all week."
Letter #5 also included the names of several men who served
with James
Parrott.
June 15, 1863
Dear Wife - I take the opportunity to drop you a few line to
let you know
how I am getting along. I am well and harty with the infection
of a cold
that I have taken. I got back to my ridgment (regiment). I truley
(truly)
hope that this will find you in good health and doing well. I
want to see
you and the children offul (awful) bad. I think of you every hour
in the
day and dream of you oftiner (more often) when I sleep. I have
nothing very
important to rit to you. Only a few nites ago we had a tolerable
good camp
meeting. 13 mourners and 1 profession (took place). I will tell
you of a
site that I saw the 12 day of this month. I saw a man shot to
death with
muskets. He was charged with desertion. The brigade was all ordered
to the
filld (field) where he was shot and then the prisoner was brought.
They
sung and prade (prayed) for him. He said that he was prepared
to meet his
God in peace. after they prade they then tuck (took) him and led
him to a
stake and tide (tied) him and 12 guns was discharged at him. 6
was loded
(loaded) with ball and 6 with blank lods (loads). He would not
let them
blind his eyes. Jeneral (General) Rite (Marcus Wright) said that
he never
saw as gallant a fellow as he was. Jeneral Rite shed tears when
he shuck
(shook) hands with him after he had tide him. The man's name was
Rite
(Wright) who lived in Jackson County. He belonged to the 8th Tennessee
Volunteers. Anuff (enough) of that. Hala Ann I sent you 15 dollars
in
money buy (by) Mr. Hampmiller and a letter. I trust you will get
it.
I have bin (been) working in the breast works today. We are bilding
(building) breastworks here. Our breastworkds is about 15 miles
long. Some
think that we will fite (fight) here and some thinks that we will
not.
I herd (heard) good preaching yesterday. We have tolerable plenty
to each
such as it is. My self and my mess went out yesterday and pick
us a big
mess of wile salid (wild salad) and it was not bad to take. I
eat a big bate
(helping) of it and today I eat a big mess of bread soop (soup).
I am a
good hand to make it and I can cook tolerable well but nearly
everty time I
go to wipe the skilit out I burn my littler finger. I have just
as good a
mess as in the 28th Ridgment. I mess with Nathan Callahan, Thurstan
Qualls,
John Ford, M. T. Ray, Bailey Copeland, John Jackson, and Jerry
Holloway.
They all seem like brothers to me. We have mooved from below Shelvey
(Shelbyville). We mooved about 5 miles north of Shelvey. Well
you must
rite to me soon and direct your letter down and see me. If I dont
get to
come home which I see no chance now if you cold make the rangements
(arrangements) sow (so) you could leave home you cold come down
and see me
and get back in 10 or 12 days and 2 or 3 with you would be more
satisfaction
to me than everything that I have saw sence (since) I left home.
Tell Nancy
that Jerry is well. He is gone out in the country to buy some
milk now. My
mess is all well. Give my best remarks to all my friends and keep
a
reasonable portion to your self. I have nothing important to rite
to you
about the wear (war). You must rite every chance you have as you
promise to
do for I would like to read a letter from you every day. Rite
all about our
afares (affairs) how corn looks, potatoes, and wheat. I all ways
love to
read as kind letters as you send me that lets me now (know) that
you are
living a christian. I must bring my letter to a close by saying
I love you
and my children better than everything elce (else) in the world.
You must
kiss the boys for me and hug the babey (baby). Bless his hart
(heart) I
want to kiss him. I now (know) that he is sweat (sweet) buy (by)
his being
sow (so) fit (or fat). No more - I remain your husband until death.
Good
by for this time.
Js Parrott to M A Parrott
Tonight's Letter #6 was written one week before the Union attack
on the Duck
River line. Unlike the Union Army, the Confederates are required
to grow
their own food. James wrote of having to sow wheat with the other
men of
his company.
The lack of money at home required a barter system. James told
his wife,
Mahala, how to settle old debts back home.
June the 18, 1863
Sate (State) of Tenn. Bedford County
Dear Wife: I have another oppertunity (opportunity) to send
you another
letter as I have promised to rite every chance I have I intend
to do sow
(so) and I believe you will two. The best nuse (news) I have to
rite to you
is that I am well and I do truley hope that this letter will find
you and
the children all well and doing as well as could be expected.
I want to see
you as bad as ever but it did not fall to my lot to get to come
home this
time as I had no wheat sode (sowed) I did not get to draw straws
with the
boys the detail was sow scattering only 5 men from our company
but I hope
that I will get a furlow before long if anything should happen
that I should
not get a furlow and I stay here you must come and see me if you
can. I
have drawed a short coat and I have send my coat home by John
Hancock. He
is to leave it at Mrs. Timler and I wrote you a letter and sent
it at buy
male (mail) that I put a paper of 5 needles in it. I want you
to rite if
you have got them are not. I want you to be contented and dont
grave
(grieve) for me. Grief don't stop this wear (war) nor does it
cook you
breakfast nor your supper. I feal (feel) confident that I will
see you
again. I want you to way (weigh) all my boys and tell me how much
they way.
I want you to have some of my ould (old) sows spade if they are
not with
pigs have the Adkins sow spade and the Kiner sow spade and the
sow that I
bought of Nancy and their big sow and there (their) 2 gilts will
b enuff (be
enough) to keep til I get home. I want you to save all the hogs
you can.
Rite to me how all the stock looks and how many hogs you have
alive. Let
nothing run in the clover but the hogs and mare. Let the cattle
all run
outside but your milk cow. You have now (no) harvus paster (harvest
pasture) and your clover is all your chance for your hogs. I want
to now
(know) how your corn in holding out and your bacon and how you
are making
out for salt and rite who is your best neighbor. If anyboddy mistreats
you I
want to now (know) it. I want you to rite how our corn look and
how much
ground is lying out. If ould (old) Barney West can be got in to
weark (work)
I want the floor put in the ney (new) house. That house must be
ficks
(fixed) before winter if any probable chance. He owes me the puting
(putting) in the sleepers and stocking my briar sythe (scythe)
and the
bilding (building) of my chimney. Tell him if he will put down
the floor
and stock the sythe that we will be evan (even). I must close
buy saying I
want to hug and kiss you my lovely wife and my sweat (sweet) baby
and hug my
big boys. Good buy for this time.
James Parrott
Tonight's Letter #7 was written after the fall of Atlanta on
September 4,
1864. Both armies had fought almost non-stop for a total of four
straight
months on the road to Atlanta. James Parrott reflected on his
good luck and
the blessing of God in protecting him from harm. The tenor of
Parrott's
voice showed his war weariness.
Near Jones Borough, Ga. Cheatham Division, Wrights Brigade,
28 Tenn.
Regiment
September 10, 1864
Dear Wife: I have the oppertunity (opportunity) of seating
myself to rite
(write) you another letter to let you now (know) that I am well
and I hope
that this letter will find you and my sweet little boys and Lety
all well
and I hope that this will find all the rest of my kinsmen and
friends all
well. I want to see you all so bad that I cant hardely (hardly)
stand it.
I hope and trust to God that the time is not far distant that
I will get to
come home and live in peace the remains of hour (our) days. May
God spread
(speed) the time. Dear companion I can say to you that I have
been in all
the battles since the battle of Muffles Barrow (Murfreesboro)
and I was in
the battle of Chickey Magey (Chickamauga) and at Resacker (Resaca)
and at
Darsville, New Hope Church, Kennesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek,
Stone
Mountain and at Jones Borough (Jonesborough). I have bin in all
those
battles and through the blessing of God I have never bin tuched
(touched)
with a ball (bullet). I thank God for it. God has bin my sheal
(shield)
and I hope that he will be until I dy (die). What has bin the
cause of him
being my friend - I have ask him for his blesing (blessing). You
rote
(wrote) to me that you had prade (prayed) for me. I do believe
that God has
ancered (answered) your prayer for he has blest (blessed) me in
everything
and I request you to continyou (continue) to ask God for to extend
his
blesings toward us as a famley (family). If we shall never sea
(see) each
other again in this life I hope that we will meat (meet) in heaven
where
there is no ware (war) but peace forever.
James Parrott to Mahala Ann Bowman Parrott
Tonight's Letter #7 Conclusion spoke of the problems the war
had caused even
for mailing a simple letter. By this time the South had realized
they were
losing the war. Fasting and prayer were turned to in the hours
of need.
James missed his wife and family so much and longed for the war
to be over.
He simply would not desert and be labeled a coward.
Near Jones Borough, Ga. Cheatham Division, Wrights Brigade,
28 Tenn.
Regiment
September 10, 1864
Dear Wife: Tell John and Thomas to be good boys and mind there
(their)
mother till there (their) pap comes home and to learn to read
and to spell.
I want to see you all so bad that I cant hardely rite sow that
you can read
it. You must excuse all mistakes and bad riting. I want you to
kiss Robert
for me and tell him that is from pap. I want you to rite to me
just as soon
as you get this are (or) as soon as you can and rite to me about
how you are
getting along and all about how my friends is getting along and
tell them to
rite to me and give me all the satisfaction you can. Mahala Ann,
I have
rote you 2 letters before this one. I sent them buy the way of
Ritchman
(Richmond) buy (by) flag of truce. I am fixing to start in the
morning
through the lines with a flag of truce to exchange prisiners and
I expect to
send this letter threw the lines by some prisiner and get him
to mail it.
When you rite I want you to send me some united states stamps
and when we
get a communication open I want you to rite once a weak sow I
can get them
regular. I want to now if the mail route is open to Gillans (Gillilands)
at
the Oak Hill Post Office. I send my letters to Burkesville, Ky
incear (in
care) of Alen or Olen Gililan (Gilliland). Inquiry (Inquire) for
letters
every chance you have. I saw Elvin Moredock semetime back and
he said that
he was riting home. I want you to get Uncle Thomas Moredock to
look for my
letters and get them and them them to you. I aim to rite every
chance I
have as I can't get to see you. I hope to here from you. It would
do me
more good to here from you than anything elce as I cant get to
see you. I
oftimes think of that sweat babe that I kissed the morning I left
home. God
bless his hart. I want to kiss him today and you to. Hala Ann,
I want you
ot pray for me and tell all my Christian friends to remember in
there
prarers. Pray to God to give us peace and stop the sheding of
blud (blood).
Governor Brown of Ga. has set Thursday the 15 of Sept. for fasting,
humiliation, and prayer. I hope it will prevail much. Dear wife
I shuder
to think of your trubles when your little children is a sleep
you are awake.
I am in this wear (war) I don't know when I can get out of it.
You had
rather have me a brave man than for me to be a coward. Wife you
do not want
me to run resks (risks) of coming home and take (protection in
the wild). I
could rite a grate deal more but I am not allowed to so I must
close buy
saying I remain your husban until death. Good buy for this time.
Lety I
want you to rite to me and tell me who is your sweatheart.
James Parrott to Mahala Ann Bowman Parrott
Tonight's Letter #8 was pretty much a repeat for the conclusion
of Letter
#7. U.S. postage stamps were much in demand by the Confederate
soldiers at
that time. It must be remembered that Middle Tennessee was then
under Union
occupation. The U.S. Mail was running again in that area. James
further
reflected upon his good luck and blessings from God. War weariness
again
crept into James' letter to his wife and children.
At that time both armies in Georgia were taking a much needed
breather.
General John Bell Hood had lost Atlanta, but was certain that
Union General
Sherman had traveled too far from his base of supplies at Nashville.
General Hood planned on traveling northward to cut the railroad
between
Sherman's Atlanta-based army and the main supply depot at Nashville.
This
would have caused Sherman to retreat back to Nashville and give
up Georgia
and Middle Tennessee. Anyway, that was Hood's plan.
September the 11, 1864
Dear wife. I, this sabbath morning, seat myself to rite you
one more letter
to let you now that I miss the land of the living and well and
hope that
this will reach you and find you and my sweat (sweet) children
all well and
doing well. I want to see you all powerful bad. I want you to
rite must as
soon as you get this and give me all the satisfaction you can
and send me
some united states postage stamps for I want to rite to you often
if the
communication can be open. I have bin (been) in several hard battles
but
threw (through) the blessing of God I have never bin (been) touch
with a
ball (bullet). God has bin (been) my sheal (shield) and I hope
he will be
til I dey (die). You rote to me that you had prade (prayed) for
me. I
believe that God has ancered (answered) your prarer (prayer).
I want you to
still ask God for his blesing and tell all of my Christians friends
to
remember me in there (their) prayers. I am not allowed to rite
much. You
can rite to me all about your afars. (affairs). I have to close.
Direct
your letters to Chatham Division, Rits (Wrights) Brigade, 28 Tenn.
Regt.
Sow I remain your husban until death. Kiss Robert for me. Tell
John and
Thomas to be good boys till there (their) pap comes home. Good
buy for this
time.
James Parrott to Mahala Ann Bowman Parrott
Tonight is the last installment of our Civil War letters. This
letter
should have been the first letter in the the time line of our
collection.
This letter was written just after the Battle of Murfreesboro,
Tennessee on
December 31, 1862 and January 1, 1863. James took the opportunity
to tell
Mahala Ann Parrott he had survived the battle and missed the entire
family.
Already the Confederates were taking up defensive positions between
Shelbyville and Tullahoma. This defensive line was called the
Duck River
Line. It would hold the Union forces in check until June 1864.
This letter was very difficult to read. The script was very
light and
almost impossible to read by ordinary means.
January 9, 1863
Bedford County, Tennessee
Dear wife: I want to use the opportunity to rite (write) to
you to let you
now (know) that I am well and I hope you and all are well. I got
to my
regiment on the second day after I left home. I found it on the
battle
field about three miles of Muffles Borow (Murfreesboro). We are
now north of
Shelvy Vill (Shelbyville) and Tullahoma. They (There) has been
a terrible
battle here. I want to see you so very bad but now (no) telling
when I can.
Do the best you can. If you have the opportunity rite (write)
to me. Rite
every chance you have. I dont no (know) when I can come home.
Kiss for me
my babies......................I remain your husban (husband)
till death.
James Parrott
To: Mahala Ann Bowman Parrott
Conclusion to the story
James Parrott and his family migrated across the Cumberland
Plateau when he
was only a child. His father had died when James was only 2.
James caught
the measles during the migration. The widowed-mother decided
to leave James
with a Miller family in order to keep her other children safe
from the
terrible disease. Before the mother could return for James, she
died. As a
young boy, James was made an indentured servant to George M. Thompson.
James
lived with Thompson until he married Mahala Ann Bowman in Overton
County in
the 1850's.
The 1860 Tennessee Census showed:
Parrott, James, 3;, Mahala A., 26; John C., 2; and Nancy Hill,
17. The
family lived in Putnam County that year.
The family must have moved during the census. The 1860 Putnam
County census
also showed:
Parrott, James, 30; Haley, 2; John, 2; and Nancy Hill, 18.
James did not enter the Civil War early in the contest as so
many of his
neighbors did. Instead, he enlisted on November 27, 1862 at McMinnville
in
Company H of the 28th Tennessee Infantry. This was the place
at which men
could join safely from the Upper Cumberland and Cumberland Plateau
regions.
The army was only a few miles away at Murfreesboro at that time.
Colonel
Sidney Smith Stanton, a lawyer from Carthage, was the enlisting
officer for
James. Parrott agreed to enlist for a term of three years or
the duration
of the war. Throughout the war, James led a charmed life while
the ranks of
his regiment were whittled down. On November 30, 1864, James
was in the
front ranks in the attack upon Union positions at Franklin, Tennessee.
James was shot in the lower right foot breaking the metatarsals.
James was
left at a Confederate hospital while the rest of the army went
on to
Nashville. After the Confederates were routed at Nashville, Union
forces
captured James around December 17, 1864. Parrott's foot was amputed
by
Union doctors on December 26, 1864 at Nashville. When he recovered
sufficiently he was forward to the Louisville Prison on May 6,
1865 after
the war. On June 16, 1865, James Parrott swore to the Oath of
Allegiance
and was paroled. He had a dark complexion, dark hair, hazel eyes,
and stood
5'10" tall. He claimed Cookeville for his residence.
After the war James and Mahala Ann farmed in the Rock Springs
area of
Overton County. James created his own wooden leg. James made
it a habit of
tying his wooden leg to the saddle of his horse as he rode. One
day the
horse came back to the house with his wooden leg attached to the
saddle.
The family found James dead from a gunshot wound. He was murdered
on May 6,
1868. His family buried him in the nearby Officer Cemetery.
Mahala never
remarried. She died in 1908 and was buried beside her husband.
The murderer? Mahala's own brother disappeared the very same
day and was
never heard from again.
Thank all of your for your interest in these past few nights.
I have
enjoyed putting these pages together. I am a distant cousin of
Mahala Ann
Bowman Parrott. We both descend from Josiah Bowman of Overton
County.